The Solivita Smashers Pickleball Club takes great pride in providing our members with many options for playing and enjoying the great game of pickleball. In addition to teaching players from Newbees to advanced, the basics and "finer" points of the game, we enthusiastically organize and conduct a variety of activities. We promote an environment of "Fun, Fitness and Friends".

Regularly, members participate in scheduled play, leagues and open play. Additionally, "special events" are held for recreational play: Sadie Hawkins, Halloween Games and other Round Robin events. For higher competition, the club conducts the Polk Senior Games as well as Club Tournaments. We encourage and acknowledge players who play (and win) in outside tournaments. The club also supports opportunities for socializing like the Game Day Picnic and the year end Holiday Party.

All of these activites are fun and benefit our members, but would not happen without the leaders of the club and the many volunteers who help and support these events. Many "Thanks" to all who contribute their time and talents.

The Board of Directors

Halloween Games - Another Great Success!​

Halloween Games

Celebrating Halloween, members compete in this social and recreational event on Saturday and Sunday near Halloween. Participants play in Round Robin format by skill level. On Saturday Men teams and Women teams, most in costume, play. Lunch is served to players and registered spectators.

On Sunday, Mixed Doubles teams play, also in costume. This is a fun event for all. Spectators cheer and laugh. Many pictures are taken of these creative costumes.

A video of the event is posted on YouTube. Photos are posted to the Smashers Shutterfly account. This is a great way to welcome back many of our seasonal members. .

Sadie Hawkins Games

This "Fun" event is held in April. Details are published and sent by email. Registration is required whether competin' or spectatin'. This is Round Robin play in the "DogPatch" spirit. "Daisy Maes" invite "L'il Abners to be their "pahdner." The women do the choosin' for this event. Partners cannot be a spouse or regular partner. The goal is to play with someone new.

Players dress is their finest "Duds" but patches are OK. Play is "sort of" grouped by skill level and men are discouraged from aggressive play toward women...unless "Daisy" takes the lead. Everyone is a winner and "vittles" are served to players and registered spectators.

Year-End Holiday Party

In December, the Club has a party to look back at the year (in a photo montage) and program. This celebrates another successful year for Smashers members. The ballroom is decorated for the holidays adding to the atmosphere. Music entertainment is provided and many enjoy dancing. The party reinforces our basic theme...Food, Fun and Friends!

It is also an opportunity to thank the retiring board members and introduce the new Smashers Board of Directors. Members purchase tickets for the event at the November General Meeting.

TOURNAMENTS

The Smashers conduct the Pickleball tournament for the Polk Senior Games (Solivita is the site host). This annual 2 day competition, held in early March, is the largest event of the Polk Senior Games. Players from Central Florida and beyond, compete in this Florida Senior Games qualifier.

In 2016, the event had 256 players, 128 teams.

In 2017, the Polk Senior Games Pickleball tournament will be held on March 7 & 8 (Tue & Wed). Details will be available in January.

More Competition:

Solivita Olympics

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"Good Guys" Tournament

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Women's Tournament

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Traveling to competition at other venues

​​VOLUNTEERS

No organization can function well without the contribution of its volunteers. There are many ways members can help, from the smallest job to managing or coordinating an event, ALL are needed.